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Keeping it in the Teesside family

[ March 17, 2021   //   ]

Three Teesside family freight firms have worked together to secure a shipping deal and support the growth of Middlesbrough’s port facilities.

Shipping companies, Casper Shipping and Cockfield Knight, along with forwarding and logistics firm AV Dawson, owner and operator of Port of Middlesbrough, have collaborated to provide a complete local supply chain solution to help a major UK steel stockholder import steel into Teesside.

Casper Shipping secured a vessel on a long-term charter to deliver a broader, more competitive logistics offering to its clients. Cockfield Knight, who were looking to broker a vessel for its customer, to import steel pipes from Cyprus to Tees, selected Casper Shipping’s vessel for the job.  Cockfield Knight also acted as port agent at the Port of Middlesbrough.

Gary Dawson, AV Dawson’s managing director said: “This is a great example of not only the strength of the offering of the River Tees’ maritime sector but also the appetite for collaboration among Teesside businesses. Using local operators rather than national chains keeps work in the region, supporting local jobs and the regional economy.

“This particular cargo which has been imported for Cleveland Steel & Tubes, will be used within the UK construction sector – which like the shipping and logistics sector, seems to have managed to continue to keep busy despite the challenges of Covid.”

He added: “A recent cargo we imported for this same customer will actually be staying at our port for a very long time – not because of any Brexit delays but because it will be utilised within the redevelopment of our quayside.  The steel pipes will be used for piling on one of our berths at Port of Middlesbrough to support the reconstruction and strengthening of the quay wall – so they literally will be supporting the future growth of our port.”

Frans Calje, chief executive of PD Ports, the statutory harbour authority of the River Tees, said: “With over 270 years between them and an unwavering commitment to the region, these three family businesses illustrate the innovation, resilience and ambition we have within the businesses that operate on the River Tees but also more widely in the region.”

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